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If the law is on your side, pound the law. If the facts are on your side, pound the facts. If neither the law nor the facts are on your side, pound the table.
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Legal Definitions - blank
Definition of blank
The term "blank" in parliamentary law refers to two distinct situations:
- 1. A ballot submitted without any vote marked, which functions as an abstention. This indicates that the voter is present but chooses not to cast a vote for or against any option presented.
- Example A: During a contentious vote on a new policy within a corporate board meeting, one director felt they had a conflict of interest and did not wish to influence the outcome. When ballots were collected, this director submitted an unmarked ballot.
This illustrates a "blank" as an abstention, where the director chose not to participate in the decision by not marking their ballot. - Example B: At a university faculty meeting, a proposal for a significant curriculum change was put to a vote. A few faculty members, feeling unprepared to make an informed decision, turned in their voting slips without selecting any option.
Here, the unmarked voting slips are considered "blanks," signifying that those faculty members abstained from the vote.
- Example A: During a contentious vote on a new policy within a corporate board meeting, one director felt they had a conflict of interest and did not wish to influence the outcome. When ballots were collected, this director submitted an unmarked ballot.
- 2. A placeholder within a motion or resolution that is intentionally left open, to be filled in later by a vote after various options have been proposed by the group.
- Example A: A community council was drafting a resolution to establish a new public art installation. The initial motion read: "Resolved, that a new sculpture be commissioned for the intersection of Main Street and _______ Avenue." The council then invited suggestions for the specific cross street, such as "Elm Avenue" or "Oak Avenue," before voting to insert one of these options into the motion.
In this scenario, "_______ Avenue" represents the "blank" in the motion, which was subsequently filled by a vote from the proposed options. - Example B: During a non-profit organization's annual general meeting, a motion was introduced to approve the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The motion stated: "Resolved, that the operating budget for the next year shall not exceed $_______." Members then proposed different maximum dollar amounts, and after discussion, a vote was held to decide which figure would be inserted into the motion.
The dollar amount placeholder is the "blank" that the members collectively decided to fill through a voting process.
- Example A: A community council was drafting a resolution to establish a new public art installation. The initial motion read: "Resolved, that a new sculpture be commissioned for the intersection of Main Street and _______ Avenue." The council then invited suggestions for the specific cross street, such as "Elm Avenue" or "Oak Avenue," before voting to insert one of these options into the motion.
Simple Definition
In parliamentary law, a "blank" can refer to a ballot cast without a vote, effectively serving as an abstention. It also describes a placeholder within a motion or resolution that is intentionally left open to be filled in later by a vote, after proposals are received from the floor.
Or try:
overturn